Rover 216
From 2,063 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are emissions levels exceed default limits, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. The top issue, emissions levels exceed default limits, caused 102 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 102 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 101 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 84 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 82 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 67 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 63 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 62 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 53 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 53 |
| emissions test unable to be completed | 44 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 40.6% of 216 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 20.7% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £176.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 75% | emissions levels exceed default limits, emissions test unable to be completed |
| 1998 | 67.2% | emissions levels exceed default limits, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1997 | 67.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits |
| 1996 | 72.8% | emissions levels exceed default limits, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits |
4 earlier years
| 1995 | 72.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1994 | 75.3% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1993 | 75.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1992 | 67.9% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
Typical mileage
Half of all 216s tested had between 52,833 and 99,562 miles on the clock.
At 77,358 median miles, the 216 has 0.036 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Rover models
| Rover Mini | 75.8% |
| Rover 75 | 67.7% |
| Rover 25 | 68.2% |
| Rover 45 | 65.3% |
| Rover Metro | 72.6% |
Common questions
What is the Rover 216 MOT pass rate?
The Rover 216 has a 72% MOT pass rate based on 2,063 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Rover 216?
The most common MOT failure on the Rover 216 is emissions levels exceed default limits, which caused 102 failures. Other common issues include the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired.
What is the typical mileage of a Rover 216 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Rover 216 is 77,358 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 52,833 and 99,562 miles.
Buying a used 216?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 72% pass rate and an average repair bill of £176 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 40.6% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.